After most of his teammates had hit the locker room following SaturdayÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s practice in the intense heat of Metairie, receiver/return man Michael Lewis practiced catching passes from the teamÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s passing machine. This was all in an effort to regroup following a disappointing season in 2003.

Michael Lewis celebrates an apparent touchdown in the 2003 preseason opener with Philadephia.
ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I was disappointed as far as injuries go,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? he said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“When youÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢re out on the field you have to be 100 percent and give 100 percent, but if youÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢re not 100 percent, you canÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t give 100 percent.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

Last year Lewis missed three entire games with a groin injury and was less effective on special teams than in his breakout season in 2002.

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I have something to prove every year because I still donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t have anything made,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? he said. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“ThereÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â ‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s always going to be guys coming in to get your position. I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t ever feel that I have a spot on this team.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

Lewis will be fighting for playing time at wide receiver, a position where the Saints are arguably the deepest theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ve been in club history. But itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s the other things he can do that will keep him on the roster come September.

"MichaelÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s our kick returner and punt returner,ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬? said head coach Jim Haslett. ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã…Â“I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t know if we have anyone better. HeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢s turned into a pretty good receiver and we just want to keep him making progress as a receiver and heÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢ll be alright.ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬?

CheramieIII

08-03-2004 06:03 PM

Michael Lewis determined..........

We always need beer at the games, so no doubt the beerman makes the team.

vulture

08-04-2004 02:43 AM

Michael Lewis determined..........

Anyone know his cap figure? With Stallworth, Stecker, and Craver capable of returning punts and kicks, and a potential log jam at receiver; I wouldn\'t be surprised to see Lewis as the odd man out. This could easily happen especially if Cromwell comes back from injury problems.